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Mr. John Peplowski- Director of Bands
Mr. Vincent Lucente- Asst. Director of Bands, Percussion Coordinator
The history of when the first Ursuline Band was organized is unclear. However, the first marching band to
perform at the football halftimes was in the fall of 1939. Father Joseph Gallagher was principal and
appointed Mr. Herbert Schroeder as the first marching band director. But no matter when the first
marching band was formed, the fact remains that the Ursuline Band developed a rich tradition which
nearly was lost in the late eighties. After reaching its peak membership in the fifties and sixties under of
directorships of Orlando Vitello (1951-60), Joseph Estok (1961-64), and Sam D'Angelo (1965-71), the band's
membership slowly dwindled to an all time low in 1989, to just 12 members.
In 1990 the marching band began its comeback under the direction of Mr. David Shoff (1989-90) who built
the membership up to 25 members (14 musicians, 8 dance line, and 3 flag line). before leaving to pursue
other musical interests.
In 1991, then principal Father Daniel Venglarik, thought it was unthinkable to let the marching band remain
in its current condition. With numbers beginning to rise, he instituted a music scholarship program that
offered up to $250 to any student that played in the band for the entire school year. He then hired John
Peplowski, (1991-present) a young director just out of college to rebuild the program. Mr. Peplowski's first
band had 37 members (23 musicians, 7 dance line, and 7 flag line ). The slogan, "Small But Mighty," was
adopted and embraced by the students and their parents. This little phrase proved to be the foundation
for the future growth of the Fighting Irish Marching Band. The scholarship program was expanded to offer
up to an additional $256 to any student that takes private lessons. Through the hard work and dedication
of the band director, band boosters, students, and the administration, the band underwent and continues
to undergo 17 years of unprecedented growth, culminating in the largest and most proficient marching
and concert bands in nearly three decades. The current Marching Band enrollment is 78 members.
perform at the football halftimes was in the fall of 1939. Father Joseph Gallagher was principal and
appointed Mr. Herbert Schroeder as the first marching band director. But no matter when the first
marching band was formed, the fact remains that the Ursuline Band developed a rich tradition which
nearly was lost in the late eighties. After reaching its peak membership in the fifties and sixties under of
directorships of Orlando Vitello (1951-60), Joseph Estok (1961-64), and Sam D'Angelo (1965-71), the band's
membership slowly dwindled to an all time low in 1989, to just 12 members.
In 1990 the marching band began its comeback under the direction of Mr. David Shoff (1989-90) who built
the membership up to 25 members (14 musicians, 8 dance line, and 3 flag line). before leaving to pursue
other musical interests.
In 1991, then principal Father Daniel Venglarik, thought it was unthinkable to let the marching band remain
in its current condition. With numbers beginning to rise, he instituted a music scholarship program that
offered up to $250 to any student that played in the band for the entire school year. He then hired John
Peplowski, (1991-present) a young director just out of college to rebuild the program. Mr. Peplowski's first
band had 37 members (23 musicians, 7 dance line, and 7 flag line ). The slogan, "Small But Mighty," was
adopted and embraced by the students and their parents. This little phrase proved to be the foundation
for the future growth of the Fighting Irish Marching Band. The scholarship program was expanded to offer
up to an additional $256 to any student that takes private lessons. Through the hard work and dedication
of the band director, band boosters, students, and the administration, the band underwent and continues
to undergo 17 years of unprecedented growth, culminating in the largest and most proficient marching
and concert bands in nearly three decades. The current Marching Band enrollment is 78 members.
